USF is basically designed around moving units, should we nerf the Mg42 because it counters it?
The MG42 does very little damage vs. infantry, it only really suppresses/pins (low MP drain)
The MG42 can only auto-fire in a small arc, and won't automatically turn to other directions
The MG42 has 45 range, roughly half of the PAK's 80 auto-fire, and 1/4th it's barrage range
The MG42 can be beaten by smoke, which is plentiful for USF units (mortar, REs, off-map)
The MG42 MUST be in combat range (i.e. its targets can fire back) to actually do anything
compared to...
The PAK does massive damage on hit (high MP drain)
The PAK can auto-fire 360degrees
The PAK has 80aa range, 160 barrage
The PAK will fire on anything within the players LoS (and range), since it's IDF
The PAK can sit behind shot blockers or other obstacles, well outside the combat range of its targets
On top of that, the PAK is firing almost exclusively on 4-man squads, with 30mp+ reinforce costs. Two direct hits, and that squad needs to fall back and pay 60+ MP to reinforce (+ heal time).
If the MG42 was able to spin 360 degrees, had doubled its current range, and could fire on units when LOS blocked by smoke.... then yes, we should nerf the MG42, because it would invalidate an entire faction's design (or more).